王曉農(nóng)翻譯理論與實踐2 Lecture Six

1、Lecture Six Commonly Used Translation Methods (2): Variation and Adaptation Translation Theory & Practice(2) Course No. 1400142Because of different rhetorical preferences, the English version, if intended to put across any really useful information, should present a realistic picture out of what is

2、expressed in the Chinese original, in a varied way to adapt to English to foreground the plain facts and the specific references. Definition of Variation and AdaptationVariation and adaptation should be applied to translating the Chinese sentences that are not appropriate to be rendered literally, s

3、o in this sense it is a free way of translation. (1) 歡迎各位領導蒞臨我校（e.g. 魯東大學）指導工作。 Welcome to Ludong University (2)堅持走生產(chǎn)發(fā)展生活富裕生態(tài)良好的文明發(fā)展道路。 Follow a road of well-balanced development ,ie, production gets promoted ,peoples life gets improved and ecosystem gets protected.(3) 改革還處在探索階段，要摸著石頭過河，使其健康發(fā)展。Since

4、 the reform is still at the exploratory stage, to ensure its healthy development, we should be very cautious and prudent. Variation for clarification of meaningIf context makes it appropriate to turn a concrete expression in Chinese to abstract one in English, or vice versa, it should be done, which

5、 is a form of variation.(4)主持人極富人格魅力,令我們佩服地五體投地。Quite personable / With his rich personality, the host is totally disarming us / earns admiration from our heart.(5) 經(jīng)濟特區(qū)發(fā)揮了示范、輻射、帶動的作用。The SEZs have served as models, radiators and powerhouses / engines. (6) 我國是一個發(fā)展中國家，要靠長期艱苦奮斗才能改變落后面貌，但現(xiàn)在鋪張浪費相當嚴重，擺闊氣

6、、講排場之風愈演愈烈。Version A: As a developing country, China can overcome its backwardness only by working hard for a long time, but for the time being, the question of extravagance and waste has become increasingly serious, and the practices of ostentation have become more and more grave. (?a misleading pi

7、cture and a false impression)Version B (improved): Only by working hard for a long time can China, a developing country, overcome its backwardness, but for the time being, extravagance and ostentation constitute serious problems. (7) 九寨溝是著名的風景名勝區(qū)，在那里，古樹搖曳春秋，山花自謝自開，植被茸茸生煙。 Consider: Jiuzhaigou is a w

8、ell-known resort of natural scenery, where aged trees wave the seasons by, amid carpets of wild flowers and thick green vegetation. Improved: , where aged trees wave the seasons by, and wide flowers amid the vigorous vegetation witness the year in and out. Variation for intra-sentence cohesion & coh

9、erence （8）自1979年中美建交以來，雙邊經(jīng)貿(mào) 關系雖受兩國總體關系的影響經(jīng)歷了一些波折，但一直保持較快發(fā)展速度。 Since 1979 when China and the United States established diplomatic relations, the two countries economic relationship and trade have been growing rapidly despite a number of twists and turns which occurred under the influence of those in

10、the development course of their overall relations.(9)“十五”計劃綱要突出了戰(zhàn)略性、宏觀性、政策性。Chinas Outline for Tenth Five-Year Plan highlights its strategic vision, broad perspectives, and policy considerations. A concluding double-example:(10)cf:上海世博會“城市，讓生活更美好”這個主題突出了三方面的特點：時代性、獨創(chuàng)性、普遍性。The theme “Better city, bet

11、ter life” of the Shanghai World Exposition is characterized by three distinctive features: times reflecting, originally conceived, and universally significant. 厚德 博學 日新 篤行Perfecting MoralityPursuing KnowledgeProgressing EverydayPracticing Earnestly Paraphrase (or metaphrase) Re-expression of somethi

12、ng written or said in different words, especially, words that are easier to understand. Paraphrase is, in its broad sense, as G. Steiner says in his After Babel, the “true road for the translator”. This represents an interpretive treatment in C-E translation.(13) 中國先秦的數(shù)學家提出了勾股定理。Chinese mathematicians in the pre-Qin days over 2,200 years ago put forward the proposition known as the Pythagorean theorem in the West today.(14) 故宮耗時